2019: DEMOCRACY

Sept 19—21 / 2019

Around the world the (re)emergence of nationalism, authoritarianism, and fundamentalism has given rise to a crisis of democracy. Whose voices are being heard? Whose voices are you listening to? What guides your voice?

The erosion of our civic and political institutions can, in part, be attributed to the rise of entrenched media silos, but coming to grips with the current crisis of democracy and reclaiming a democratic future will require a sense of history, and a collective reinvestment in community conversations, education, dialectical inquiry, public ethics and political imagination.

The 2019 Buffalo Humanities Festival will take on “democracy” with three days of conversations involving local activists and community organizers, nationally renowned authors, as well as scholars and artists from contributing institutions including Canisius College, Humanities New York, Niagara University, SUNY Buffalo State, and the University at Buffalo.

Humanities New York presents, Democracy and the Legacy of Racism: Ibram X. Kendi and Chenjerai Kumanyika in Conversation

Spotlight Speaker: Matt Taibbi

Rolling Stone writer and author of four New York Times bestsellers: The Great Derangement, Griftopia, The Divide, and Insane Clown President, and I Can’t Breathe, Matt Taibbi co-founded the Buffalo-based alternative biweekly newspaper The Beast in 2002. He went on to work as a columnist for the New York Press, and in 2004 he began covering politics for Rolling Stone. For the past 15 years, Taibbi’s unique journalistic voice has provided insights into politics, the wealth gap, racial injustice, and the role of the media in our current times.

We are excited to welcome Matt back to Buffalo for a special evening where we will tackle the topic of democracy in the age of post-truth.

The full festival day begins with a panel discussion, with special guest Matt Taibbi, on the role of the media on democracy, and continues with talks, performances, and community conversations. Lunch by West Side Bazaar and a closing reception featuring The Performance Truck, live music, and beer by Community Beer Works.